Month: May 2021

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Taconic Biosciences Launches TruIMPORT™ Importation Solution

Rodent Models Originating in China Can Be Imported Into Virtually Any Academic Vivarium Without Quarantine

RENSSELAER, N.Y., May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions, announces a significant enhancement to the Taconic-Cyagen Model Generation Alliance allowing seamless importation of new genetically engineered models originating in China under the TruIMPORT™ umbrella.

Researchers at non-profit institutions play a critical role in drug discovery; however, outsourcing animal model generation can be cost prohibitive or a logistical challenge. Hurdles in accessing animal model resources can impede important research. Potential solutions to this problem have traditionally come with trade-offs. Depending on the country of origin, cost effective options can require a lengthy quarantine of the animals or additional breeding to ensure animals meet the required health standards for entry into the institution’s animal facility. These additional steps can cost the researcher both time and money.

Originally launched in 2018, the Taconic-Cyagen Model Generation Alliance (the Alliance) for academic and non-profit researchers leverages the talents of two industry-leading companies to create a solution uniquely tailored for non-profit research institutions. Taconic Biosciences has over 65 years of rodent model experience and Cyagen Biosciences is a China-based leader in model generation efficiency and a competitive cost structure. Since its inception, the Alliance has become a recognized leader in providing model generation services to academics and non-profit researchers. TruIMPORT™ represents an important evolution in this service offering. It allows animal models from China to be imported into United States and European animal facilities while complying with existing vivarium requirements. Providing a set of choices, TruIMPORT™ allows customers to access efficient model generation with several pricing options depending on desired delivery timeline, health standard, and cohort size.

“Our main goal is to solve problems for our customers,” shared Dr. John Couse, vice president of scientific services for Taconic. “While the Alliance has provided efficient model generation for years, importation concerns were a barrier for many customers. By creating multiple options under the TruIMPORT™ umbrella, customers can now import rodent models from China without quarantine regardless of the requirements of their vivarium.”

The TruIMPORT™ portfolio consists of three importation options: RapidRELAY™, RapidCHECK™, and RapidEXPANSION™. Customers can compare product specifications here to determine which represents the right combination of timeline, health standards, and deliverables to meet their needs.

About Taconic Biosciences, Inc.

Taconic Biosciences is a fully-licensed, global leader in genetically engineered rodent models and services. Founded in 1952, Taconic provides the best animal solutions so that customers can acquire, custom-generate, breed, precondition, test, and distribute valuable research models worldwide. Specialists in genetically engineered mouse and rat models, microbiome, immuno-oncology mouse models, and integrated model generation and colony management services, Taconic operates three service laboratories and six breeding facilities in the U.S. and Europe, maintains distributor relationships in Asia and has global shipping capabilities to provide animal models almost anywhere in the world.

About Cyagen Biosciences, Inc.

Cyagen Biosciences is a leading provider of comprehensive genetically engineered rodent model services. Cyagen utilizes a highly efficient process, including its proprietary AI technology, to design and deliver novel genetically engineered models with precision and competitive pricing. The Cyagen Transgenic Animal Center (CTAC) in China is a state-of-the-art, specific-pathogen free (SPF) barrier facility, which is both AAALAC accredited and OLAW assured. Cyagen has additional locations in the United States, Japan, and China. Since Cyagen’s founding in 2005, we have delivered over 78,400 animal models to researchers worldwide and have been cited in over 4,700 publications.

Media Contact:

Kelly Owen Grover

Director of Marketing Communications

518-478-6095

kelly.grover@taconic.com

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GMAC Welcomes Top Latin American Business School as Its Newest Member

EGADE Business School brings diversity and prestige to the Council

RESTON, Va., May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) today announced that EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey has become the Council’s latest member. Located in Mexico, the EGADE Business School is selected for its world-class programs and international recognition in and beyond Latin America, adding great representation of the region to the global association that constitutes 229 top business schools around the world.

“EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey has built a globally recognized reputation as the leading Latin American business education institution, committed to empowering entrepreneurial leaders who create shared value and transform society,” said Dr. Osmar Zavaleta, interim dean of EGADE Business School. “EGADE is committed to the exchange of ideas and best practices with our global peers and GMAC membership provides a valuable platform for enhancing that exchange other GMAC member schools”.

“The pandemic has taught us to be innovative and adaptive in a disruptive environment of an interconnected world,” said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. “We value the global vision and holistic approach that EGADE Business School brings and look forward to their contributions to the advancement of graduate management education.”

EGADE Business Schools is among a select group of institutions internationally to hold the “triple-crown” of excellence from the three leading global accreditation systems for business education quality assessment and continuous improvement: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). For the fourth consecutive year in 2021, EGADE Business School topped the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking in Mexico and Latin America for its Full-Time MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Master in Finance programs and appears for the first time as the regional leader for its recently introduced Masters in Management.

To be considered for membership in GMAC, a school must maintain a selective admissions process; offer a master’s program in business administration, management subjects or equivalent; and demonstrate support of GMAC’s mission through the use of its products and services.

About GMAC™

The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC™ provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

GMAC™ also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAC™ (NMAT™) exam and the Executive Assessment (EA). More than 7 million candidates on their business master’s or MBA journey visited GMAC’s mba.com last year to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. BusinessBecause and The MBA Tour are subsidiaries of GMAC™, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202-390-4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com

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DRC: More children risk being separated from family as tens of thousands flee on fears of another volcano eruption

Under the threat of another eruption, tens of thousands of people have been ordered to leave Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears that even more children are at risk of being separated from their families, Save the Children warned.

The organisation has been working to reunite children who were separated from their families since the deadly eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on 22 May. At least 243 children are still separated from their parents – most are in temporary family housing and transit centres.

The sudden eruption sent lava flowing into populated areas of Goma, destroying around 1,000 homes in four villages, six schools and vital infrastructure, cutting off power and water supplies to hundreds of thousands of people. In the ensuing chaos and earthquakes, 939 separated children [1] were identified – 696 have been reunited with their families.

The parents of Tresor*, 11 and Hortensia*, 5 live in Turunga and work at the market. They were not at home when the volcano started erupting and by the time they got home, some of the children had already fled. They searched for Tresor* and Hortensia* at the hospital, at the morgue and even at the prison. Their father Bahati* said, “We were very scared. We were bitter because we had escaped the events but we were traumatised. We left the house at 6 am to look for the children.”

Tresor* explained: “When the eruption happened, one man was driving in the neighbourhood offering a ride to people. I took my sister with me because I didn’t want to leave her.”

When asked why he followed the fleeing people all the way to the town of Sake, he said: “I thought that at home everyone must have been dead. I am very tired but when I go home I will embrace my little brother”.

Edouard Niyonzima, Humanitarian Worker for Save the Children in Goma, said:

“We can see the situation in Goma district is getting worse. Earthquakes are continuing in the region which is already reeling from destroyed homes, schools and infrastructure. Half a million people are without water, which raises the risk of a cholera outbreak.”

“This disaster comes while the DRC is already home to one of the largest populations of displaced people in the world and the most on the African continent. 5.2 million people are internally displaced, and this latest crisis is putting even more pressure on the already strained resources of the government and aid organisations.”

“Our teams come across unaccompanied children in the shelters – children at risk of abuse or exploitation if they are not noticed. They, and also the ones who already have been reunited with family, will have to deal with the trauma of losing their homes, schools, and sometimes even family members or friends.”

Amavi Akpamagbo, Save the Children’s Country Director in DRC, added:

“Our primary focus is the protection of all children particularly through family tracing and reunification. Mental health and psychological support is a key component to offer to affected communities and children.”

Save the Children is in Goma, where it is working with the local partner Umoja in Action to support the reunification of children with their families, together with the Child Protection Working Group and other actors.

Save the Children has worked in the DRC for more than 25 years, including in Goma where it has a strong relationship with local communities, partner NGOs, and officials. The organisation manages programmes in Health, Child protection, Education.

*Names Changes to protect children’s identities

[1] Identified by the Child Protection Working Group

For more information or interview requests, kindly reach out to:
Florence Cisse: florence.cisse@savethechildren.org
Faiz Jamil: faiz.jamil@savethechildren.org
Out-of-hours (BST) and weekend: Media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44 7831 650 409

 

 

Source: Save the Children

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Inside Africa’s drive to boost medicines and vaccine manufacturing

Addis Ababa – With COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Africa slowing down, the continent is working to boost its own manufacturing capacities for vaccines, medicines and vital health technologies.

Mrs Biruk Abate Halallo, Health Attaché at Ethiopia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, is the driving force behind a resolution on the local manufacturing of medicines, medical technologies and vaccines that is being presented at the World Health Assembly, WHO’s leading decision-making body, this week.

What is the resolution for?

Africa suffers more than its fair share of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Over 90% of the world’s malaria deaths and 70% of all people living with HIV/AIDS are in Africa. More access to good medicines could significantly reduce this needless human toll.

Ninety-five per cent of all medicines used in Africa are imported and the continent accounts for just 3% of all medicine production globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed Africa’s vulnerabilities in ensuring access to vital drugs, vaccines and health technologies and more and more African governments view the supply of safe, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines as a national security issue.

Boosting local production will save lives, boost public health and strengthen African economies, including supporting local jobs. It should also trigger the sharing of crucial technologies.

The full title of the resolution presented at the World Health Assembly this week is ‘Strengthening Local Production of Medicines and Other Health Technologies to Improve Access.’

It covers strengthening local production, promoting technology transfers and innovation and considering the agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and intellectual property rights through the lens of boosting local production.

The resolution was co-sponsored by more than 100 WHO Member States, including 54 African countries.

What are the next steps?

WHO Member States and WHO must push on with the recommendations in the resolution.

Member States should align their national and regional policies and strategies around local production. This will help economies of all sizes build synergies, share the workload and avoid costly duplication.

African market integration and trade facilitation is crucial and African countries must make better use of regional economic integration platforms such as the Economic Community of West African States, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and The new African Continental Free Trade Agreement offer great opportunities.

More integration will help lead to the manufacturing of products that are in high demand in the region, will expand access to more markets and make local production sustainable.

Countries should formulate education policies that foster research and development in pharmaceuticals as well as encouraging thousands more people to gain skills to thrive in the industry. Countries must strengthen and harmonize their regulatory systems to ensure all medical products are of the highest quality and that local manufacturers adhere to international standards.

WHO should strengthen its role in providing leadership and direction in promoting the strategic use of quality and sustainable local production of medicines and other health technologies. It must keep up the technical support to Member States, as well as in developing policies, capacities and aiding partnership building and international collaboration.

To fully implement this resolution we need strong political commitment from WHO Member States. We need more public and private partnerships. Support from WHO and other partners is key and we may need additional resources and investment in infrastructure to get going.

What is Ethiopia doing to boost manufacturing at home?

There are 12 medicine manufacturers and 38 medical supply and device manufacturers working in Ethiopia and that are licensed by the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration.

Building on this is a priority and with technical and financial support from WHO, we have developed a National Strategy and Plan of Action for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Development. This was the first country-level adaptation of the vision of the African Union’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa which aims to catalyse local African pharmaceutical production.

Rolling out the strategy brings together key government ministries, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders and partners. It is run by a Steering Committee that is co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Trade and Industry.

As part of this we are strengthening our regulatory capacity by reforming the National Regulatory Authority and have set up a new institute to support the pharmaceutical industry.

We are also supporting and encouraging domestic and international investment through shaping a conducive business environment. This includes offering incentives to encourage local manufacturing and setting up the Kilinto Pharmaceutical Industrial Park.

We’re also working to improve policy coherence, product diversification, human capital development and capacity building across the pharmaceutical sector.

How do you boost demand to sustain local manufacturing?

The key drivers of pharmaceutical demand in Ethiopia are population growth, economic growth, rising health coverage and efforts to address more and different diseases.

With over 112 million people and an annual population growth rate of 2.3%, Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous nation. It has the fastest growing economy in the region, with growth averaging 9.4% a year from 2010 to 2020. As the spendable income of the population rises, so too does the demand for basic health services, including medicines.

The expansion of Ethiopia’s primary health care sector in the last 15 years has been hailed as a model in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2003 we have worked to reach more communities and the percentage of women receiving antenatal care by a skilled provider increased from 27% in 2000 to 74% in 2019. Births in health facilities rose from 5% to 48% in that period.

Ethiopia has also introduced a community health insurance scheme in 75% of our districts. This has helped ensure communities engage with health services, which in turn drives demand for medicine’s and medical supplies.

Moreover, Ethiopia is undergoing an epidemiological transition from communicable diseases to non-communicable disease and injuries, and efforts to address all types of public health problems is changing the demand for medicines and health technologies.

For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:

Alemtsehay Zergaw Gebremichael Communications Officer WHO Ethiopia Email: gebremichaela@who.int

Collins Boakye-Agyemang Communications and marketing officer Tel: + 242 06 520 65 65 (WhatsApp) Email: boakyeagyemangc@who.int

 

 

Source: World Health Organization

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Le GMAC lance le microsite chinois officiel de l’examen GMAT™

Le nouveau site Internet vise à mieux servir les étudiants potentiels de la région poursuivant un diplôme d’études supérieures dans le commerce

RESTON, Virginie, 26 mai 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Le Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™), la plus grande association mondiale d’écoles de commerce, qui administre le Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), a annoncé aujourd’hui le lancement du site Web chinois officiel de l’examen GMATTM, GMAT.com.cn. En tant qu’examen le plus largement utilisé pour les admissions d’écoles supérieures de commerce et accepté par plus de 7 000 programmes supérieurs de commerce dans le monde, le GMAT est un outil d’évaluation de premier plan parmi les nombreux talents de la région de la Grande Chine depuis plus de six décennies.

Reconnaissant l’intérêt croissant pour l’enseignement supérieur en management, le GMAC a établi le microsite pour permettre aux étudiants potentiels de la région d’accéder plus facilement et de manière plus confortable à des informations précises, complètes et faisant autorité sur le GMAT et l’enseignement supérieur en management dans leur langue maternelle. Grâce au contenu localisé et ciblé, le site Web chinois du GMAT, ainsi que le compte WeChat officiel du GMAT qui a été mis en service plus tôt cette année, fournissent les plateformes numériques essentielles pour créer et renforcer la connexion entre les talents parlant chinois et les écoles de commerce les plus importantes à l’échelle mondiale dans la région et au-delà, et combler un déficit d’informations sur le marché.

« La Chine est devenue au fil des ans la deuxième plus grande région pour le GMAT, après seulement les États-Unis », a déclaré Sangeet Chowfla, président-directeur général du GMAC. « Alors que les vaccins deviennent de plus en plus disponibles et que l’espoir d’une reprise économique commence à prendre racine, nous nous attendons à observer un regain de mobilité et sommes impatients de voir davantage d’étudiants chinois commencer et reprendre leur parcours d’études supérieures de commerce dans leur propre pays ou à l’étranger, en bénéficiant des nouvelles plateformes en langue chinoise que nous proposons aujourd’hui. »

Selon le rapport d’enquête auprès des étudiants potentiels sur mba.com 2021 du GMAC publié en mars, le niveau de préoccupation concernant l’impact de la COVID-19 diminue au fil du temps. Plus précisément, la proportion de répondants chinois qui ont déclaré être extrêmement ou très préoccupés a chuté, passant de 71 % en juillet 2020 à 48 % en novembre. Le rapport a également révélé que les répondants chinois prévoyant de poursuivre un MBA en dehors de leur pays ne modifient pas leurs plans d’origine malgré la pandémie, 89 % prévoyant de poursuivre leur MBA aux États-Unis et 55 % au Royaume-Uni, ce qui fait de ces deux pays leurs principales destinations envisagées.

« L’intérêt et le désir des talents commerciaux chinois de poursuivre des études supérieures de management n’ont pas diminué, mais ont seulement été mis en suspens », a déclaré Yuan Ding, vice-président et doyen de la CEIBS et directeur du conseil d’administration du GMAC. « Le site Web chinois officiel du GMAT aidera à connecter les talents commerciaux chinois du monde entier avec les écoles de commerce mondiales et ne laissera aucun talent inexploré. »

Plus de sept millions de candidats à la recherche de masters en commerce ou de MBA ont visité le site mba.com ― portail phare d’informations et de ressources d’enseignement supérieur du GMAC ― pour explorer les choix d’écoles de commerce, se préparer et s’inscrire aux examens, et obtenir des conseils sur le processus d’admissions. Le GMAC est déterminé à soutenir les objectifs des étudiants potentiels chinois qui souhaitent se préparer et s’inscrire à l’examen GMAT.

À propos du GMAC™

Le Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) est une association des meilleures écoles supérieures de commerce du monde entier, au service d’une mission. Fondé en 1953, le GMAC crée des solutions et des expériences permettant aux écoles de commerce et aux candidats de mieux se découvrir, s’évaluer et entrer en relation.

Le GMAC™ fournit au secteur de l’enseignement supérieur en management des recherches, conférences sectorielles, outils de recrutement et évaluations de classe mondiale, ainsi que des outils, ressources, événements et services qui guident les candidats pendant leur parcours dans l’enseignement supérieur. Propriété du GMAC, qui assure sa gestion, l’examen du Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) est l’évaluation pour école de commerce la plus largement utilisée. Le GMAC™ détient et administre également l’examen NMAT by GMAC™ (NMAT™) et l’Executive Assessment (EA). BusinessBecause et The MBA Tour sont des filiales du GMAC™, une organisation internationale avec des bureaux en Chine, en Inde, à Singapour, au Royaume-Uni et aux États-Unis.

Pour en apprendre plus sur notre action, rendez-vous sur le site www.gmac.com

Contact auprès des médias :
Teresa Hsu
Responsable principale des relations avec les médias
202-390-4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com

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GMAC lança Exame em Chinês no GMAT™ Microsite oficial

Novo site visa atender melhor os futuros alunos da região que buscam um diploma de pós-graduação em business

RESTON, Va., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™), principal associação global de faculdades de business e administradora do Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™), anunciou hoje o lançamento do exame em chinês no site GMATTM oficial GMAT.com.cn. Na qualidade de exame mais amplamente utilizado para admissões de pós-graduação em business aceito por mais de 7.000 programas de pós-graduação em business em todo o mundo, o GMAT tem sido uma ferramenta de avaliação líder entre o vasto conjunto de talentos na região da Grande China há mais de seis décadas.

Reconhecendo o crescente interesse na pós-graduação em educação de gestão (GME), o GMAC estabeleceu o microsite para que os futuros alunos da região possam acessar informações precisas, abrangentes e oficiais sobre GMAT e GME no seu idioma nativo, imediata e confortavelmente. Com um conteúdo localizado e direcionado, o site chinês do GMAT, juntamente com a conta oficial do WeChat do GMAT que entrou em operação no início deste ano, fornece as plataformas digitais essenciais para a criação e fortalecimento de uma conexão entre talentos da língua chinesa e as principais faculdades de business do mundo na região e além, e preencher uma lacuna de informação no mercado.

“A China cresceu ao longo dos anos até se tornar a segunda maior região do GMAT, depois apenas dos Estados Unidos”, disse Sangeet Chowfla, presidente e CEO do GMAC. “À medida que as vacinas se tornam mais amplamente disponíveis e a esperança de recuperação econômica começa a se enraizar, esperamos ver mais mobilidade e que mais estudantes chineses comecem e retornem à sua jornada de educação empresarial de pós-graduação no seu próprio país ou no exterior, se beneficiando das novas plataformas de língua chinesa que estamos oferecendo hoje.”

De acordo com o relatório mba.com Prospective Students Survey Report de 2021 do GMAC publicado em março, o nível de preocupação com o impacto da COVID-19 vem diminuindo ao longo do tempo. Especificamente, a proporção de entrevistados chineses que relataram estar extremamente ou muito preocupados caiu de 71% em julho de 2020 para 48% em novembro do ano passado. O relatório também revelou que os entrevistados chineses que planejam fazer um MBA fora do seu país não estão mudando seus planos, apesar da pandemia, com 89% planejando fazer seu MBA nos Estados Unidos e 55% no Reino Unido, tornando esses dois países os principais destinos a serem consideração.

“O interesse e o desejo dos talentos empresariais chineses em prosseguir com os estudos de pós-graduação em gestão não diminuíram, apenas foram colocados em espera”, disse Yuan Ding, vice-presidente e reitor do CEIBS e diretor do conselho do GMAC. “O site chinês oficial do GMAT irá ajudar na conexão de talentos empresariais chineses em todo o mundo com faculdades de business em todo o mundo, e não deixará nenhum talento de fora.”

Mais de 7 milhões de candidatos na sua jornada de mestrado em business ou MBA visitaram mba.com, principal portal de recursos e informações de educação do GMAC, para explorar as opções de faculdades de business, se preparar e se inscrever em exames, e obter conselhos sobre o processo de admissão. O GMAC está empenhado em apoiar as metas dos futuros alunos chineses que desejam se preparar e se inscrever no exame GMAT.

Sobre o GMAC™

O Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC – Conselho de Admissão de Gestão de Pós-Graduação) é uma associação global das principais faculdades de pós-graduação em business. Fundado em 1953, o GMAC está empenhado em criar soluções para faculdades e candidatos de business para que eles possam encontrar, avaliar, e se conectar uns com os outros.

O GMAC™ oferece pesquisas internacionais, conferências da indústria, ferramentas de recrutamento e avaliações para a indústria de graduação em gestão, bem como ferramentas, recursos, eventos e serviços que ajudam a orientar os candidatos na sua jornada rumo ao ensino superior. De propriedade e administrado pelo GMAC, o teste Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) é o exame mais amplamente utilizado pelas faculdades de business em todo o mundo. O GMAC™ também é proprietário e administra o exame NMAT by GMAC™ (NMAT™) e Executive Assessment (EA). BusinessBecause e The MBA Tour são subsidiárias do GMAC™, uma organização global com escritórios na China, Índia, Reino Unido e Estados Unidos.

Para mais informações sobre o nosso trabalho, visite www.gmac.com.

Contato com a Mídia:
Teresa Hsu
Gerente Sênior, Relações com a Mídia
202-390-4180 (celular)
thsu@gmac.com

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GMAC Launches Official GMAT™ Exam Chinese Microsite

New website aims to better serve prospective students from the region pursuing a graduate business degree

RESTON, Va., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™), the leading global association of business schools and administrator of the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™), today announced the launch of the official GMATTM exam Chinese website, GMAT.com.cn. As the most widely used exam for graduate business school admissions and accepted by more than 7,000 graduate business programs worldwide, GMAT has been a leading assessment tool among the vast pool of talents in the greater China region for more than six decades.

Recognizing the growing interest in graduate management education (GME), GMAC established the microsite for prospective students from the region to access accurate, comprehensive, and authoritative information about the GMAT and GME in their native language more readily and comfortably. Through the localized and targeted content, the GMAT Chinese website, along with GMAT’s official WeChat account that went live earlier this year, provide the critical digital platforms to create and strengthen the connection between Chinese-speaking talents and the world’s leading business schools in the region and beyond, and filling an information gap in the market.

“China has over the years grown into the second largest region for GMAT, after only the United States,” said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. “As vaccines become more widely available and hope for economic recovery begins to take root, we expect to see more mobility and look forward to more Chinese students starting and returning to their journey of graduate business education in their own country or abroad, benefiting from the new Chinese-language platforms we are offering today.”

According to GMAC’s 2021 mba.com Prospective Students Survey Report published in March, the level of concern about the impact of COVID-19 has been declining over time. Specifically, the proportion of Chinese respondents reporting that they are extremely or very concerned has dropped from 71 percent in July 2020 to 48 percent in November last year. The report also found that the Chinese respondents planning to pursue an MBA outside their country are not changing their original plans despite the pandemic, with 89 percent planning to pursue their MBA in the United States and 55 percent in the United Kingdom, making these two countries their top destinations of consideration.

“The interest in and desire of Chinese business talents to pursue graduate management studies have not declined but only been put on hold,” said Yuan Ding, vice president and dean of CEIBS and a board director of GMAC. “The official GMAT Chinese website will help connect Chinese business talents all over the world with global business schools and leave no talents undiscovered.”

More than seven million candidates on their business master’s or MBA journey visited mba.com ― GMAC’s flagship graduate education resource and information portal ― to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. GMAC is committed to supporting the goals of Chinese prospective students who wish to prepare and register for the GMAT exam.

About GMAC™

The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC™ provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment. GMAC™ also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAC™ (NMAT™) exam and the Executive Assessment (EA). BusinessBecause and The MBA Tour are subsidiaries of GMAC™, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:
Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202-390-4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com

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Sea Electric Extends Worldwide Presence With Increased Global Management Team and Strong Showing at Brisbane Truck Show

First Public Viewing of Full Range of SEA Electric-branded Trucks Sets Framework for Company’s Growth in Global Electrification

SEA Electric at 2021 Brisbane Truck Show

The first-ever public appearance of the SEA Electric full range of operational-ready trucks was displayed at the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show — with the entire suite ranging from 4.5-tonne car licence through to 22.5-tonne three-axle rigids.

LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The recent Brisbane Truck Show (May 13-16, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane, Australia) held a significant presence for global automotive technology company SEA Electric, showcasing the first-ever public appearance of a full range of operational-ready electric trucks utilizing proprietary SEA-Drive® power systems, new SEA Electric branding, and the announcement of senior global leadership taking the company’s helm throughout the Asia Pacific region.

The appointment of Bill Gillespie, president of Asia Pacific, and promotion of Glen Walker to vice president of Asia Pacific, bring a wealth of international transport industry and electric vehicle expertise to the region during a time of growth for SEA Electric worldwide. Following a recent US $42 million investment, SEA Electric is bringing electrification solutions and opportunities to nearly every corner of the globe, and in the United States it has added further assembly capacity, creating the current potential for approximately 60,000 units per annum. Further U.S. assembly, including in the area of batteries, is expected in the near future.

According to SEA Electric President and Founder Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric has not only created a low-cost delivery solution, but equally meaningful it has developed a medium voltage/lightweight power system with performance outcomes that exceed the internal combustion engine equivalent. “Our own SEA-badged trucks – including the SEA 300 and SEA 500 in Australia – are derived from OEM Semi Knock-Down kits, creating further efficiencies to pass on to our customer base whilst supporting rapid OEM expansion into this segment,” said Fairweather.

Gillespie’s new leadership role allows him to build upon the company’s momentum, which continues to expand on a worldwide basis. “The product showcased in Brisbane sets the framework for SEA Electric to seamlessly fold into OEM dealerships and fleets, bringing forth both new and repowered electrification options,” said Gillespie. The current three medium-size EV truck models are sold through a dozen authorized dealers in Australia, while more than 220 U.S. dealers are available to support the North American market needs.

SKD Assembly Provides Solutions Efficiency
Walker further explained the commercial arrangement as a Semi Knock Down (SKD) Assembly Operation – creating SKD ‘Glider’ kits – a first-of-its-kind three-way process that begins with the cab,

frame rails, wheels and axle components arriving in Australia, within containers from Japan, and upon arrival being assembled to provide a rolling chassis to support the appropriate proprietary SEA-Drive® power-system to create a completely assembled SEA Electric-branded vehicle. The vehicles are then ready for distribution.

But it is their SKD assembly operation’s efficiency that creates a real game-changer for SEA Electric and facilitates the solutions and productivity the company can provide. With consistency of assembly, and a process that provides multiple efficiencies, there becomes very little waste, often eliminating extra componentry that previously would have been discarded in other retrofitting processes.

“Our agreements in the U.S. go one step further,” said Walker. “We are utilizing SKD and local glider assembly to set the benchmark for ongoing programs in North America and other SEA Electric markets around the world.” As an example, when containers in the United States arrive for SKD assembly, all electrification is then performed by authorized upfitters, solely using SEA-Drive® power-system technology and branding. The process of building the trucks from SKD kits or glider chassis provides multiple advantages over the retrofit option, including lower cost, quicker build times, and less waste.

Bill Gillespie, President of SEA Electric Asia Pacific

Bill Gillespie joins SEA Electric as President, Asia Pacific, bringing a wealth of international transit industry and electric vehicle expertise to the region during a time of growth for SEA Electric worldwide.

The North American market, which recently became the new home for SEA Electric’s California-based headquarters, has the largest capability for upfitting capacity at 60,000 units annually. The addition of a Des Moines Technical Center and planned offices in Chicago, Brooklyn, and Miami before August this year represents SEA Electric’s commitment to the market.

With available volume and an ambitious capability to assemble the company’s SEA-Drive® technology, SEA Electric provides immediate and cost-efficient solutions that can be easily scaled to meet the needs for any fleet – whether new or existing delivery vehicles in need of new EV drive capabilities. The electrification of the yellow school bus industry is also in high demand in the United States.

Perhaps the most important business growth aspect of SKD kit and OEM glider assembly is the ability for the SEA Electric vehicle range to be available from a dealer network that provides complete sales, warranty, and service support.

SEA-Drive®

SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive® electrification technology adapts to a large range of OEM truck and commercial vehicle platforms and has been proven in the field with millions of real-driving miles to date.

SEA-Drive® Power-Systems
SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive® power-systems come in a variety of configurations for all-electric models with a GVM range of 4.5t through to 26t (i.e., 9,990 lbs. to 57,500 lbs. GVWR). Each are designed for 3,000 charge cycles based on a full overnight charge, if applied five days per week, and can result in optimum performance for 10 years.

The Brisbane Truck Show highlighted five new SEA-Electric-branded truck models, including the launch of the SEA 300-45 EV and the SEA 300-85 EV. Both models are fully ADR compliant and assembled in Melbourne for Australian distribution.

The Future for SEA Electric
While SEA Electric’s roots originate in Australia, along with various manufacturing and technology capabilities, the company’s North American growth brings a business model that can be replicated in Europe, as well. Current U.S. upfitting facility locations include Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Indiana, and California.

SEA Electric SEA M5 EV

The SEA M5 EV Vehicle chassis shown in this urban delivery truck utilizes SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive® powertrain platform for Class 5 vehicles. The unit carries a 5-year warranty on batteries and a system warranty of 3 years or 50,000 miles.

On the heels of its recent US $42 million equity financing announcement, SEA Electric also closed its latest purchase of 1,000 electric vehicle batteries from long-time technology partner Soundon New

Energy Technology. This important transaction supports SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive® 70, 100, and 120 major power-system models. While most of the initial units are slated for the United States, the balance will go to SEA Electric inventories in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, as well as the company’s first entry into the European market.

About SEA Electric
Global automotive technology company SEA Electric was founded in Australia in 2012, creating its proprietary electric power-system technology (known as SEA-Drive®) for the world’s urban delivery and distribution fleets, as well as front powered school bus applications.

Glen Walker, SEA Electric Vice President, Asia Pacific

As Vice President Asia Pacific for SEA Electric, Glen Walker leads the APAC operational activities for the company, with nearly two decades of experience within the automotive and transport sectors in Australia.

Widely recognized as a market leader in the electrification of commercial vehicles on a global basis, SEA Electric commands a global presence, deploying product in six countries including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa with collectively more than one million miles of independently OEM-tested and in-service international operation.

The company’s global sales, after-sales and engineering are represented in all subsidiaries, whilst North America, home to the company’s headquarters, has the largest upfitting capacity for SEA Electric at 60,000 units per year.

PRESS RELEASE DOWNLOADS
Please follow this link to download this press release and HIGH RESOLUTION versions of our accompanying SEA Electric images and other supporting editorial assets.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dqt5opk580rf4em/AAB2vfLr9s2UsePMwcKqSsMTa?dl=0

Contact: Deb Pollack/Strategic Communications

(t) 805.320.9248 (e) deb@debpollack.com

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